This morning I walked the dog, spoke to a few neighbours, and tidied up a little more of my study, a task that seems to have no end. I still seem to be caught up with the idea I am not enough and somehow can’t get away from it. So, I am reflecting on a prayer of David I read last night and asking myself how thankful I am, and ow to be as thankful as David.
He is at the end of his life, there are rivals for his throne staking their claim, enemies at court that his son Solomon wisely gets rid of later, and he speaks to his assembled officials. David has dedicated a fortune in gold, silver, bronze, and other materials for the temple Solomon would build and invited Israel’s leaders to make a similar freewill offering to the project. There is a lot going on for a man on his deathbed. Then he prays:
“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-20
Who am I? What a great question! David was the greatest king in Israel’s history, achieving so much despite his failings (did he ever feel he wasn’t enough?), despite setbacks (did he ever think this was all too much for a shepherd boy?). What kept him going in spite of everything? He knew God, and he knew who he was before a holy God.
“Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.’
Who am I? I am a man who knows God and my God is enough.
